Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin France due to terrorism and unrest. Pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places.”
Updated Wed, 28 May 2025
Full advisory →Make this report personalWho's travelling? A family, a woman alone, a business trip — the score and the key findings are re-weighted for your group, not the average traveller.8 districts
Is Paris safe? 🇫🇷
France · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Paris scores 78/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Paris remains generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and occasional protests require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Paris 🇫🇷
France · Assessed 4 September 2026
78
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~84% of countries
What drives this score
Crime83/100GoodHomicide 1.3 / 100k
Sentiment80/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories50Caution
Stability75Good
Health92Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in France There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:17:02Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for France: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-08-25T15:02:22.996404-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
2.1M residents
68
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6France1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
91
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery and muggings are rare for visitors; most violent crime occurs in specific suburbs or late at night in certain districts like 18th, 19th, 20th.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is widespread in tourist areas (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sacré-Cœur) and on Metro lines 1 and 4; bag-snatching also reported near stations.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
80/100
Reported feel76Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Travelers generally feel safe during the day but report heightened vigilance due to pickpocketing; nighttime safety varies by district, with some expressing caution in northern arrondissements after dark.
Yes — Paris remains generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and occasional protests require vigilance.
Official data shows Paris has low violent crime and strong health/environment scores, but petty theft is common in tourist zones and on transit. Recent protests and isolated incidents underscore the need for situational awareness, especially in crowded areas and during large gatherings.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Paris police arrested a suspect after a knife attack wounded three women— France 24
- May 2026Hundreds arrested and dozens of police injured in riots following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win— BBC
- Jun 2026Thousands marched in Paris against far-right groups in an anti-racism protest organized by the Saint-Denis mayor— Le Monde.fr
- Jun 2026Police ordered a last-minute ban on an Iranian opposition rally in Paris— Reuters
Common scams
- Friendship bracelet scam near Sacré-Cœur and tourist sites
- Petition scams asking for signatures or donations
- Gold ring scam where a 'found' ring is offered for money
- Fake petition or charity collectors near major attractions
- Distraction thefts on Metro lines 1 and 4
Full briefing
Paris is generally safe for travelers who take standard precautions, particularly against petty crime. While violent crime against tourists remains rare and the city benefits from strong health, infrastructure, and environmental ratings, pickpocketing is a persistent and well-documented risk in tourist-heavy zones such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sacré-Cœur, and along Metro lines 1 and 4. Official advisories from the U.S. and Canada urge increased caution due to terrorism and civil unrest, while the UK notes seasonal wildfire risks — though no active alerts were present as of September 2026. The overall safety environment is stable, but visitors must stay alert, especially in crowded settings.
Recent events underscore the importance of situational awareness. In July 2026, a knife attack in Paris left three women wounded, prompting a police arrest (France 24). Earlier in May, celebrations after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory triggered riots, resulting in hundreds of arrests and police injuries (BBC). June saw large-scale demonstrations, including an anti-racism march drawing thousands (Le Monde.fr) and a preemptive ban on an Iranian opposition rally (Reuters). While these incidents are not routine and typically avoid tourist zones, they reflect occasional volatility tied to public events or protests — situations travelers should avoid and monitor via local news.
To stay safe, travelers should prioritize protection against theft: use cross-body bags with zippers, keep phones and wallets out of sight, and remain vigilant at ATMs and on public transport. Common scams include the friendship bracelet petition near Sacré-Cœur, gold ring tricks, and distraction tactics on the Metro — all avoidable with skepticism and firm boundaries. While neighborhoods like the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements have higher reported crime, especially at night, central tourist areas remain safe by day with awareness. By blending standard precautions with alertness to local developments, visitors can enjoy Paris confidently and securely.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Paris districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Paris safety map.
20th Arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant)avoidHigher incidence of theft and occasional unrest; exercise caution, particularly at night and near Belleville metro.
1st Arrondissement (Louvre/Tuileries)cautionMajor tourist hub; pickpocketing and scams common around Louvre and Palais Royal, especially midday.
5th Arrondissement (Latin Quarter)cautionStudent area with nightlife; safe during day, but increased petty crime and scams near Métro stations after dark.
8th Arrondissement (Champs-Élysées)cautionHigh tourist traffic; pickpocketing and distraction scams frequent near avenue and metro stations.
18th Arrondissement (Montmartre)cautionTourist-frequented but elevated pickpocket risk, especially around Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre; avoid isolated streets after dark.
19th Arrondissement (Parc de la Villette)cautionGenerally safe by day near attractions, but higher reports of petty crime and scams around metro stations after sunset.
4th Arrondissement (Le Marais)saferPopular and lively; generally safe day and night, but watch for pickpockets in crowded streets and near Place des Vosges.
9th Arrondissement (Opéra/Galeries Lafayette)saferWell-patrolled shopping and theatre district; low violent crime, but remain alert for bag snatching in crowds.
07 · After Dark
Is Paris safe at night?
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed robbery and muggings are rare for visitors; most violent crime occurs in specific suburbs or late at night in certain districts like 18th, 19th, 20th.
After dark, be most careful around 20th Arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant), 1st Arrondissement (Louvre/Tuileries), 5th Arrondissement (Latin Quarter), 8th Arrondissement (Champs-Élysées). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Paris safety FAQ
Is Paris safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Paris remains generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and occasional protests require vigilance. Official data shows Paris has low violent crime and strong health/environment scores, but petty theft is common in tourist zones and on transit. Recent protests and isolated incidents underscore the need for situational awareness, especially in crowded areas and during large gatherings. (Assessed 4 September 2026.)
Which areas of Paris should tourists avoid?
Field research flags 20th Arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Paris?
- Friendship bracelet scam near Sacré-Cœur and tourist sites
- Petition scams asking for signatures or donations
- Gold ring scam where a 'found' ring is offered for money
- Fake petition or charity collectors near major attractions
How does Paris compare with other places in France?
Paris ranks #5 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 78/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
How is this Paris safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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